“Avuuu, bacha… Daddy aa rahe hain na,” Sanyukta cooed softly, gently tucking Avu’s hair into place. His adorable pout made her heart melt. “I told you he’ll be here soon. Now, be my good boy and stay with Anu Buaa for a while, okay?”
“Cal Dadyyy…” he said, plopping onto the bed, his tiny voice filled with longing. Sanyukta sighed, her tone patient yet affectionate.
“Abhi woh flight mein hain, bacha. Udhar phone nahi use karte,” she explained, crouching to meet his eyes. “Remember how we came here in the plane? You saw birds, clouds, mountains… hai na? Daddy bhi waise hi aayenge.” She placed a tender kiss on his chubby little palms, making him giggle softly.
“Daddy ne kaha hai, agar Avu good boy ban ke rahega aur Mumma ki baat sunega, then he’ll take you to buy new clothes, new shoes, and lots of toys. You want all of that, na?”
Avu nodded eagerly, his head bobbing in the most adorable way, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Sanyukta got ready, draping herself elegantly in a purple saree to surprise him. She adorned her wrists with matching bangles, her ears with long jhumkas, and her feet with delicate payal. Completing her look, she applied sindoor, wore her mangal sutra, and added a sleek necklace, looking absolutely stunning.
Glancing at the clock, she noted it was only 7:40 a.m. Two more hours... and he’ll be here, she thought, her heart fluttering with anticipation.
She joined everyone for breakfast and lovingly fed Avu, who chattered away, his small hands reaching for bites. Kirti and Anu were animatedly discussing their shopping plans, while the rest of the family buzzed with excitement over wedding preparations.
The house was lively, with a few relatives already present, including Arnav's Bua, his cousins, and their children. Many more were expected to arrive in the coming days, starting from today.
Sanyukta balanced feeding Avu and chatting with Sonam, Arnav's paternal cousin’s wife.
“Kal evening mein sab gaav ke liye nikal jaayenge. Phir saare functions udhar hi honge,” Sonam informed, and Sanyukta nodded in agreement.
“I guess phir baaki log directly village mein hi aayenge?” Sanyukta asked, to which Sonam hummed in affirmation.
“Ranvijay se toh hum kaafi baar mil chuke hain functions mein,” Sonam added, making Sanyukta smile.
“Actually, meri shaadi mein dono bhai aaye the—Ranveer Bhaiya aur Ranvijay. Ranveer Bhai ki bhi shaadi kuch mahine pehle hui thi meri shaadi se,” Sonam shared nostalgically.
Sanyukta enjoyed mingling with Sonam and the other ladies, her warmth and charm making her blend effortlessly into the lively atmosphere.
After breakfast, Sanyukta got busy helping Roshini with gifts and other preparations.
Soon, Arnav's Bua Dadi and her family arrived, adding to the bustling atmosphere.
“Sanyukta beta, sabke liye kuch refreshments le aa zara,” Roshini requested, and Sanyukta nodded promptly, heading to the kitchen.
She busied herself preparing tea and arranging snacks for the guests when Anu entered the kitchen, carrying a crying Avu.
“Bhabhi, abhi tak toh Avu khel raha tha, par phir aapke paas aane ke liye rone lag gaya,” Anu explained, her voice tinged with amusement.
“It’s okay, ye thoda cranky ho gaya hai yaha aake,” Sanyukta said softly, taking Avu in her arms. She gently caressed his back, and he snuggled into her neck, his tiny fists gripping her saree.
Sanyukta signaled one of the helpers to serve tea and snacks to the guests.
“Bua ji, mujhe koi aisa kaam de do jaha main Avu ko saath rakh saku… ye mujhe kuch bhi nahi karne de raha hai,” she said to Roshini with a sheepish smile.
“It’s okay, beta. Sab manage ho jaayega. Tu Avu ka dhyan rakh,” Roshini reassured her warmly.
“Garden area mein chalein?” Sanyukta asked Avu, her tone gentle. He nodded eagerly, his grin lighting up his chubby face. With the house bustling with unfamiliar faces, the peaceful garden seemed like the perfect escape for her little one.
“Bhabhiii… chaliye shopping ke liye chalte hain. Kal toh humein bilkul bhi time nahi milega,” Anu said, stopping Sanyukta just as she was about to step out with Avu.
“Anu, tum aur Kirti chale jao. Main baad mein kuch le aaungi tumhare Bhaiya ke saath,” Sanyukta replied, glancing at her watch.
“Nahi na, Bhabhiii! Abhi nikalna padega. Bua ne kaha hai,” Anu insisted, her voice teasing. “Aur ek baar Bhai aa gaye, nobody will let him go anywhere. Vo yahin busy ho jaayenge.”
“Lekin vo aane hi waale hain… ek baar mil ke chale jaayenge,” Sanyukta said softly, her tone giving away how much she missed him. Anu bit back a smile, fully aware of her Bhabhi’s longing for her Bhai.
“Nooo, hum aur delay nahi kar sakte! Please, Bhabhi… spa session bhi booked hai. Let’s go!” Anu declared, grabbing Sanyukta’s arm and pulling her toward the car. Sanyukta sighed but let herself be dragged along, Avu snug in her arms.
Throughout the ride, Sanyukta’s thoughts lingered on Ranvijay. She felt a growing ache, unable to meet him amidst all the commotion, which only deepened her longing.
Soon, they arrived at The World Trade Park, Jaipur’s most famous and grand shopping mall.
“Look, Avu! See how huge this building is!” Anu said, playfully tickling him. Avu curiously peeked out of the window, his wide eyes sparkling with awe. Sanyukta chuckled softly, her heart warming at her baby’s innocent wonder.
Sanyukta was glancing around when her eyes landed on him, standing a short distance away, talking on the phone.
“Ranvijayyy!” she exclaimed with a wide grin, her excitement bubbling over. Anu chuckled, amused at her Bhabhi’s visible joy.
“Surpriseee!” Anu said teasingly, and Sanyukta pulled her into a quick hug before bolting out of the car.
Ranvijay, lost in his conversation, looked up upon hearing his name and barely had a moment to react before Sanyukta rushed into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso. He stumbled back slightly, caught off guard, but quickly steadied himself, letting out a soft chuckle as he embraced her.
Sanyukta clung to him as though afraid he might vanish if she let go. Her grip tightened, her emotions overwhelming her.
Ranvijay pressed gentle kisses to her hair, his hand soothingly rubbing her back. “It’s okay… relax… I’m here now,” he murmured in a calming tone.
She pulled back slightly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Ranvijay gently dabbed his thumb under her eyes, his touch tender. “No tears,” he whispered softly.
“Daddyyyyyy!” Avu’s delighted squeal broke the moment as he wriggled out of Anu’s arms and darted toward them.
Sanyukta stepped aside just as Ranvijay squatted down to scoop Avu into his arms, peppering kisses all over his little face. Avu giggled uncontrollably, his tiny hands grabbing onto his daddy’s cheeks, completing the picture of pure joy and love.
“I miss uuuu,” Avu said, his tiny voice tugging at Ranvijay’s heartstrings.
“Daddy won’t let you go anywhere next time, champ,” Ranvijay replied, holding him close to his chest, his voice full of warmth.
Anu gave her brother a quick hug before leaving to join Kirti and their cousins.
“Ek din mein aa gayi akal thikane,” Ranvijay teased, smirking at Sanyukta.
“Aate hi ladna shuru kar diya, na?” she shot back, narrowing her eyes in mock annoyance, which only made him snicker.
“Achhi lag rahi hai waise aaj,” he remarked, his gaze trailing over her from head to toe, making her smile shyly.
“Daddyyyy, I wan’ new cloth, car, and shoee,” Avu demanded, patting Ranvijay’s cheek impatiently.
“We’ll get everything for my boy,” Ranvijay chuckled, kissing his son’s cheek. Then, turning to Sanyukta, he asked, “Aapki bhi koi demands hain kya, Sanyukta ji?”
She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes twinkling.
“Let’s go, then,” he said, taking her hand as they walked into the mall together.
Their first stop was shopping for Avu. Ranvijay took charge, carefully selecting clothes while Sanyukta stood by, watching him.
“Do dresses kaafi hain… bohot kapde hain uske paas,” she tried to reason, but her words were ignored as Ranvijay picked out several pairs—some casual, others traditional.
She sighed, knowing he wouldn’t listen, and let him indulge. His love for Avu showed in every choice he made.
He even picked out a few toys, making Avu squeal with joy.
Sanyukta couldn’t take her eyes off Ranvijay, her heart swelling with affection. She admired the way he scrunched his nose in mild distaste whenever he didn’t like something, tossing it aside with an air of finality, making her shake her head fondly.
His witty remarks and lighthearted humor turned the mundane task of shopping into something special. He has a way of making every moment extraordinary, she thought, her smile never fading.
“Chal, ab tere liye dekhte hain kuch,” Ranvijay said, flashing a confident smile as Sanyukta followed him eagerly.
“Show me something unique… kuch traditional sa ho, vibrant shades with good embroidery,” he instructed the salesgirl, who nodded and began showcasing options.
Despite her efforts, nothing seemed to catch his eye. Sanyukta sat quietly, letting him take the lead.
“I’m not liking anything here… kahin aur chalein kya?” he asked, glancing at her. She giggled softly and followed him to the next store.
The pattern repeated at five or six more stores, with Ranvijay rejecting every outfit.
“Ranvijayyy, shaam ho gayi hai, and I don’t think aapko kuch bhi pasand aane wala hai iss hisaab se,” Sanyukta sighed, exasperated. “Mujhe bas ek dress chahiye function ke liye. Baaki ke kapde hain mere paas!”
“Let’s eat something,” he suggested, steering them toward the food court.
After grabbing a quick meal, he called Arnav. “Bhai, where’s the best place in Jaipur for traditional women’s clothing?”
“Ab kahan jaana hai?” Sanyukta asked, already dreading the answer.
“Nehru Market,” he replied casually.
She groaned. “Pehle aapke liye shopping kar lete hain idhar se hi,” she insisted.
Though he initially refused, Sanyukta didn’t give him a choice. They went to a men’s store, where she made him try on kurtas and formal shirts. After finishing his shopping, they finally headed to Nehru Market around 5 p.m.
The bustling streets and colorful shops instantly lifted Sanyukta’s mood. They wandered through stores, checking out lehengas, suits, and sarees. Ranvijay made her buy four dresses for the wedding and a few more for casual use, ignoring her protests.
“Merko bangles bhi chahiye,” Sanyukta muttered, leaning on his arm, feeling drained. Ranvijay, on the other hand, seemed tireless, holding Avu in his arms the entire time.
They stopped by a shop where Sanyukta picked out juttis, bangles, and other accessories to pair with her new outfits. Despite her exhaustion, she couldn’t help but feel content with Ranvijay by her side, his energy and care making everything feel special.
It was evening when they finally returned home, and the entire household lit up at the sight of Ranvijay. Relatives surrounded him, showering him with questions and catching up.
Sanyukta excused herself, carrying the shopping bags to their room. She quickly took a bath, changing into a soft pastel anarkali dress, and lay down on the bed, intending to rest for a bit before heading back downstairs.
A few minutes later, Ranvijay entered the room, carrying a sleepy Avu in his arms. His gaze softened as he saw Sanyukta lying in the middle of the bed, her soft snores filling the quiet room.
He gently changed Avu into comfortable clothes and laid him beside her. As Avu snuggled into her side, Sanyukta stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She realized she had fallen asleep.
“Mei aane hi vaali thi neeche,” she said, yawning and rubbing her eyes as she noticed Ranvijay, who was now unbuttoning his shirt.
“Mei dusre kapde de deti hu,” Sanyukta offered, sitting up.
He shook his head. “Le lunga mei. Kal se khud hi kar raha hu saare kaam… tu toh aa gayi thi yahan mujhe chhod ke,” he teased, making her giggle.
Sanyukta followed him to the closet and handed him a set of clothes she had laid out earlier.
“Kuch kaha nahi… I was expecting a response,” Ranvijay said, suddenly pulling her into a hug from behind.
Sanyukta smiled softly. “Mei kuch nahi kahungi because I know mujhe nahi aana chahiye tha aapke bina,” she admitted, glancing at him over her shoulder.
“Biwi toh sudhar gayi meri, ek raat mei hi,” Ranvijay teased, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Yaad hai na, kuch kaha tha tune… ‘aap jo kahenge, vo karungi… bas aa jaye,’” he murmured, his voice dropping as he leaned close to her ear, making her blush furiously.
“Yaad hai ki nahi?” he asked, biting her earlobe playfully, earning a soft hiss from her.
“Yaad hai,” she replied, her cheeks burning. “But abhi kisi bhi cheez ke liye time nahi hai… take a bath quickly, phir neeche chalte hain,” she said, turning in his arms, her tone firm.
Ranvijay groaned, rolling his eyes. “Mei vaapis jaa raha hu,” he muttered dramatically, making her chuckle.
“Mei nahi jaane dungi ab kahi,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a soft kiss to the base of his throat.
“Playing hard to get, huh?” he asked, raising an eyebrow cockily.
She narrowed her eyes. “Listen, mister, I am hard to get. I don’t need to play around. Samjhe aap?”
“I love taming hard people, Sanyukta ji,” Ranvijay said smugly, brushing his lips against hers. “That’s my forte.”
“And when it comes to you,” he added, his voice low and teasing, “I’ll enjoy it even more.”
Sanyukta’s blush deepened as he winked at her, the heat of his gaze making her heartbeat quicken.
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